Horse-detacher.



C. NOWOTNY.

HORSE DETAGHBR.

APPLICATION FILED une, 1911.

Patented Mar. 4, 1913.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES NOWOTNY, 0F BARTLETT, TEXAS.

HORSE-DETACHER.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES Nowo'rNY, acitizen of the United States, residing at Bartlett, in the county ofVilliamson, State of Texas, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Horse-Detachers; and I do hereby declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such aswill enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make anduse the same.

This invention relates to an improvement in horse detachers, of thattype wherein the traces are released from the swingletree.

The principal object of this-invention is to provide a device of thecharacter described, which can be easily and quickly applied to ordetached from any swingletree now in common use without altering theconstruction of the swingletree in any particular.

Another object of the invention is to provide a trace releasingattachment for swingletrees which is retained in its normal position bythe pull of the tracesV by the animal, and which can be quickly operatedby the driver to disengage the traces from the tree.

A further object of the invention is to provide an attachment for thepurpose described which is extremely simple in construction, and ischeap to manufacture.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in theconstruction and novel combination of parts hereinafter fully described,illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claimshereto appended; it being understood that various changes in the form,proportion, size and minor details of construction, within the scope ofthe claims, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit orsacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a plan View of a pair of shafts, showing myinvention as- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led April 6, 1911.

Patented Mar. 4, 1913.

Serial No. 619,363.

Like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in all the figuresof the drawings.

Referring to the drawings 5-5 designate a pair of shafts which areconnected near their rear ends by the usual cross-bar G. Pivotedcentrally to the cross-bar by means of a pin 7 is a swingletree 8. Thisswingle-tree is provided at its ends with the usual opposedtrace-receiving recesses 9-9.

Pivotally mounted on each end of the swingletree beyond the recesses 9are my improved tracc-receiving attachments indicated as a whole by thereference numerals 11-11. Inasmuch as the construction of t-heattachments are alike, the description of one is deemed to besufficient. This attachment is cast from a single piece of metal, andconsists of spaced upper and lower plates 12 and 13 respectively. Theseplates are pivotally connected near one end to one end of theswingletree, as above noted, by means of a pivot bolt 14. These platesare adapted to normally lie in superposed relation upon the swingletree,and these plates are connected at what is termed the rear edge by a wall15. Thus it will be observed that the ends and one side is open betweenthe plates. The plates are each provided with inwardly extendingrecesses 16-16 which register with the recesses 9 of the swingletree.The wall 15 is provided with a transversely disposed depression 17,which registers at its ends with the corresponding recesses 16. The wall15 is furthermore provided between its pivot end and the depression 17,with a transversely disposed and outwardly extending stop 1S, one wallthereof merging with the outer faces of said depression 17 and therecesses 16.

The wall 15 is curved outwardly from the swingletree and also tapersfrom the depression 17 toward its extreme end to form a lever-arm 19.The upper and lower plates 12 and 13 also curve outwardly and taperinwardly to the said arm 19. Formed in the front faces of the plates 12and 13 are opposed seats 20 adapted to respectively receive one end ofa. spring actuated bolt 21, which is suitably mounted in a casing 22carried by the swingletree. It will be observed that by thisconstruction this attachment constitutes a cap for the swingletree,

and by means of the spring bolt 21 this cap is normally retained inposition against accidental movement upon the swingletree.

The free end of the lever 19 is formed with an eye 23 to which one endof said strap 24 is connected, the free end of said strap extending to apoint in close proximity to the driver. By means of this strap, theleverarm 19 can be pulled out from engagement with the bolt 21, and thecap can be swung upon the pivot pin 14 and thereby release the trace 30.It will furthermore be observed that the traces 30 are normally seatedwithin the recesses 16 of the cap. These traces being thus disposed onthe inner side of the pins 14C cause the said caps 11 to normally lieupon the ends of the swingletree, as clearly shown in Fig. 1 off thedrawings. In this position the stops 18 prevent the traces fromaccidentally working over the ends of the caps.

Integral with the cap and projecting outwardly from the upper and lowerplates 1Q and 13 and the connecting wall 15 and disposed on the side ofthe recesses 16 opposite the pivot bolt 14 is a rib 31 which preventsthe trace 20 from moving inwardly.

IVhat is claimed is:

In combination with a swingletree, of a cap including a plate having itsouter end pivotally connected to one end ot' said swingletree and havingits other end normally extending inwardly thereover to form a lever, theforward edge of said plate being formed with a notch, a spring-actuatedbolt carried by the swingletree and engaging in the notch of the plateto hold theY same against movement, and means connected to the end ofthe lever for disengaging the same from said bolt.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature, in presence of twowitnesses.

CHARLES NOVVOTNY.

Vitnesses:

A. GURBAoI-r, J r., WV. M. VEBSTER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C.

